An Expert’s Guide to Vegas: On a Budget!

Hi Friends!

We just got back from Vegas, and I realized that it would be so fun to share all of the tips and tricks that we use while there (since we go quite a bit 😁)! Vegas is one of our favorite places to go because you can do it CHEAP if you do it right! Here are some things to keep in mind when you are planning your trip:

1. Download the myVegas Slots app!

• With this app you can play “slots” for free, and earn coins towards REAL rewards! Can use at any MGM owned hotel/M Life rewards location.
• For this trip we used our coins for buy one get one free buffets, monorail tickets, gelato, and sandwiches from Carnegie!

2. Do not pay to get into clubs!

• • A day or two before your trip to Vegas, post a photo on social media (my go-to is Instagram) and club promoters will reach out to you asking if you want to get into any clubs! Or if you want to wait until you arrive, look for promoters (usually wearing jackets or T-shirt’s with club names on them) and talk to them to get onto their guest list. Sometimes (especially for ladies…sorry gentlemen) free drinks are even included!
  • Daniel and I got into Hakkasan to see Lil John and Omnia to see Steve Aoki FOR FREE!!! In the past we paid $100+ to get into Omnia to see Calvin Harris but being put on the guest list by a promoter is so easy and free! For my bachelorette party we were offered free drinks at Marquee every night!

3. Do not overspend on drinks!

• • Drinks in Vegas are WAY overpriced, so what we do is sit at slot machines in the casino and get free drinks! We do gamble while we are sitting there, but if you think about it, even if you “lose” $10-20, a drink at a bar would be $20+ anyway so you got to have a little fun in the meantime!
    • BONUS TIP: A must every time I am in Vegas is to get a “free” cosmo at the slot machines at the Cosmopolitan and then take a picture in front of the chandelier bar!
  • Buy bottles at CVS or bring your own! For my bachelorette party we each packed bottles and brought them (couldn’t carry on of course, we had to check our bags) and it was much cheaper. We also went to CVS to pick any mixers up! You can pre-game in your room or bring a water bottle/cup to pour it in to. ‘
  • Buy a cup from Fat Tuesday and then refills are discounted (~$2 off)!

4. Buy a Monorail Ticket

• • I had refused to buy a monorail ticket until this more recent trip just because I love walking the strip, but oh my goodness it literally saved my feet and a ton of time! It is slightly spendy, but definitely worth it if you want to go end-to-end on the strip and don’t want to walk it (quicker than an Uber for sure!)

5. Stay at Bally’s

• • You guys know how much I adored staying at the Cosmopolitan this past trip, but it was not cheap. If you are looking for a deal AND want to stay in the middle of the strip, you can’t beat Bally’s. It is also where the monorail stops! They have great deals (if you are a student there is an extra deal too! At any Caesar’s/Total Rewards hotel, actually!)

6. There are actually free things to do in Vegas!

• • Rain Storm “show”: in the Miracle Mile connected to the Planet Hollywood – it is small but pretty cool to see it rain inside!
  • Fountain Show: outside of the Bellagio – one of the more popular “shows” in Vegas that is absolutely stunning!
  • Fire/Volcano Show: outside of the Mirage – only occurs a couple times per night, the water fountain area outside of the Mirage turns in to a volcano!
  • Fall of Atlantis Show: inside the Caesar’s Forum Shops – one of my personal favorites, this show tells the story of the fall of Atlantis!
  • Bellagio Conservatory Garden: inside of the Bellagio – this garden changes with each season, so each time you go it will probably look 100% different!
  • Flamingo’s Wildlife Habitat: inside of the Flamingo Hotel – even though I am not a fan of birds, this wildlife habitat is pretty cool! Getting to see real flamingos inside of a hotel called the Flamingo is fun! Lol
  • Chandelier Bar: inside the Cosmopolitan! It is a beautiful, purple, glowing sight!

7. Walk the strip DAY and NIGHT

• • Yes, I am in love with Vegas, but to anyone the sights and architecture should be impressive to anyone! They are also much different from day to night (my personal favorite is night when everything is lit up!) so take the time to soak in the sights!
  • My favorite hotels to admire are: The Cosmopolitan (surprise, surprise), the Venetian, Luxor, Wynn and Caesar’s Palace.

A few noteworthy things we did this trip:

• Found “Secret Pizza” at The Cosmopolitan – which was SO FUN! Oh and had good pizza. It is located on the third floor in an unmarked hallway..and that is all I am going to tell you 😏
• The Fremont Street Experience – I had never been to Fremont Street so we checked it out…for about 15 minutes and then I was done. The lights are cool, and it sounded like there were great food deals, but I am much more of a fan of the strip.
• Top Golf – neither of us had been to Top Golf and it was awesome! We were able to get right in, but will make a reservation next time probably. There is a shuttle from the MGM too, which we found out afterwards.
• FOOD:
  • The District: located at the Cosmopolitan – great biscuits and you HAVE to try the brown butter glazed donut!! It is a MUST!
  • Egg Slut: located at the Cosmopolitan – classic yummy breakfast
  • Carnegie Deli: located at the Mirage – sandwiches bigger than your face; use the my Vegas app to get it buy one get one free! You won’t be able to eat it all so ask for a to-go box! They do charge a fee for sharing FYI.

• • The Wicked Spoon – our favorite buffet located at the Cosmopolitan! Everything is dished up into its own person serving size so it is cute and delicious! There can be SUPER long lines so we suggest going around 4PM (dinner starts at 3PM, but if there aren’t many other people there the food isn’t changed out for fresh as often 🤔 Strategy! hahaha)

Cheers, my Friends!

~McKenna